Think and Act Inclusively

[Ed Rosenberg]

I posted links to a few articles on my website this morning. While doing so, I thought of Wildwood.

It is so sad and most unfortunate that it has not embraced the value of inclusion.

Each and every day I see it applied...and applied in ways that not only could serve Wildwood's residents, but also its visitors...yet my relentless, passionate chants of "Everyone is Included" continue to be ignored...as they have been for many years from within the town of my youth.

But...the sun continues to rise each morning greeting each and everyone of us who have been given the great gift of waking up.

And so I offer up this constructive thought...in this venue...at this point in time...in this new day...

Think and act inclusively, Wildwood.

Visit my website and learn.

www.everyoneisincluded.us

[Al Alven]

Ed,

Inclusion is an interesting concept, and obviously you are quite passionate about this way of thinking.

Have you thought about (and/or would you like to share) any specific methods of inclusion that could be adapted practically in the Wildwoods these days?

In your opinion, how could the resort towns best apply the "Everyone is Included" mantra that you live by?

[Ed Rosenberg]

Absolutely, Al.

One, relating specifically to this organization, almost happened as a result of a conversation with one of the Morey brothers, believe it or not, about 8 years ago.

I proposed a "Be Bop" jazz festival in town which would expand the concept of Doo Wop to include more people and, as a result, broaden the market economically. I also mentioned the possibility of further expansion through another musical genre...Hip Hop.

To make a long story short, Mr. Morey was enthused and actually offered me a desk in a building that was the base of operations of this movement at the time. I declined since I wanted to do this on my own.

Well, I then spoke with Art Motz and Ernie Troiano and initiated some things at the high school...until I started hitting roadblocks which I can not recall right now, but will report that they were, from my perspective, "pecking order" problems...and, as a result...got out of town.

Specifically, Wildwood should cut the nonsense and listen to and truly open up to all of its people. Even the poorest of the poor in that town may have something quite valuable to offer.

I have to go work on my site, but I have other recent examples that I will post later.

Again...I would urge readers from the Wildwoods to tune into my website...and not just once, but regularly. If you do, you will transform your towns whether you embrace Doo Wop or not.

www.everyoneisincluded.us

[Ed Rosenberg]

My website's host is down, so here is another, more recent story.

Last Summer, in response to the drowning deaths of two Polish visitors, I called the mayor's office in Wildwood with an idea.

Since many international visitors do not speak or understand English well and since they may not be familiar with the area's rules relating to swimming in the ocean after hours, I suggested posting a sign on the beach with a warning in Polish and other common languages spoken by visitors to the area.

The mayor's secretary actually added to the idea by suggesting that some sort of symbol like a circle with a slash over a swimmer be incorporated.

This inexpensive inclusive act would not only potentially save lives, but also demonstrate that Wildwood cares. Additionally, it opens the international market.

Goodness...Wildwood Welcomes World...doesn't it?

The secretary took my phone number...

I have not yet heard from Ernie.

www.everyoneisincluded.us

[Al Alven]

Definitely some food for thought, Ed.

I really like your way of thinking, and your methods on using the principles and aspects of inclusion in all of your ideas.

One thing that I particularly liked was your ideas about potential Jazz and Hip Hop festivals that would play off of and expand the cultural identity of the Wildwoods.

Preservation cannot be achieved (on any level) if we refuse to think outside of the box. Too often, we look only to the past when we want to preserve the past, and that usually leads to failure.

While it is important to consistently honor the Doo Wop origins (both architectural and musical) of the Wildwoods, why not incorporate other genres and audiences to help expand the playing field, so to speak?

Very, very interesting...

[Ed Rosenberg]

Thanks, Al.

Through a lot of hard work and effort "my thinking" is now being applied throughout our nation and world on many levels and within many aspects of our relationships.

As I often say and write, however, I am most saddened that it is not embraced in the area where I have lived and grown for fifty years.

Perhaps, though, you have changed this by posting some positive remarks relating to my work.

It may be hard for you to believe, but you may be the first to do so.

Inclusion satisfies a basic human need...but, as many corporations and businesses have discovered, it also makes good sense. It is a tool to grow and expand markets. You are on the right track, Al.

www.everyoneisincluded.us

[Al Alven]

This is what good, constructive conversation is all about.

I always appreciate hearing and learning about different life philosophies and methods that can be applied to my (and all of our) everyday life experiences.

With regard to the Wildwoods, I believe that it is high time for the towns to start taking a closer look and a better listen to the voices and concerns of their people.

There are no easy answers here, and an uphill battle is certainly being fought in many respects. But, if the lines of communication were better, everyone would benefit.

The Wildwoods continue to miss out on the golden opportunity to capitalize on their own rich cultural tradition. Many resort towns across the country would die to have even a percentage of such a unique and valued (well, by some) image.

Instead, however, the island not only seems to be hell bent on burning its historical bridges, it appears to be in an absolute hurry to do so.

In the not too distant future, everyone will realize the full extent of the mistakes being made in the Wildwoods today.

I am an optimist and strongly believe that the resort will survive in the long run. Still, the blatant destruction of so much of the island's identity is impossible to ignore (or pass off as "progress").

[Ed Rosenberg]

Well,
Al, as I wrote to you in a private message...we shall see.

In the constructive spirit of this thread, I have written to the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing asking them for specific ideas on how a community can increase its low and moderate income housing.

As you may know, affordable housing is becoming a very big problem in the Wildwoods and throughout our county. It concerns not only those who are in need of it...but also the community-at-large in that it threatens workforce diversity, the foundation of our economic well-being.

If the COAH gets back to me, I will post the information that I receive.

As I wrote to them in part, "It is said, 'if there is a will...there is a way.' "

"I think there must be ways to address the growing affordable housing crisis in our county...but the political will locally really is not here. If I am correct, then I will get the news 'out there,' so to speak."

"Out There" will start here.

www.everyoneisincluded.us

p.s. If you are only 26 years old, Al...then, boy, oh boy, you are going to be a very wise man when you get my age. Keep the philosophy you live by now going, buddy.

[Al Alven]

Indeed, let it start here.

It will be very intersting to see if COAH gets back to you and, if they do, what the nature of their response is.

As a brand new home owner myself (in Philly), I can certainly vouch for the ever-growing affordable housing problem in the country these days.

It is not only a big problem in the Wildwoods, but one that is consistently overlooked and ignored. Lower-income families and working-class freelancers, it seems, do not have much of a voice on the island in this regard.

It is a problem that certainly needs to be addressed, for the good of the entire island. I am glad that you took the initiative to contact COAH, and am hopeful that some sort of solution and/or workable alternative can come out of this action.

P.S. -- Thank you so much for the very kind compliment, Ed. That was very flattering, and really meant a lot to me. I truly appreciate your encouragement and value your opinions and knowledge of the Wildwoods in general.

[Ed Rosenberg]

Yes, I, too, hope they get back to me.

Meanwhile, in my work with inclusion I have discovered three ways in which communities throughout our nation are addressing the affordable housing crisis.

They are:

Inclusionary Housing
Inclusionary Planning
Inclusionary Zoning

These are not perfect solutions, and they may not apply or fit into the Wildwood situation...but the spirit of inclusion is within them, and they may spark the creative juices within the community...if they are explored.

I would urge the leadership of the Wildwoods to do so.

By the way, truly, affordable housing is a nationwide problem. I do not understand why it has not become a part of the national political discourse.

[Ed Rosenberg]

I just received the following e-mail from a representative of the COAH:

Dear Mr. Rosenberg:

The most used method for providing affordable housing is through a developer set-aside or inclusionary development wherein the developer of a multiple-unit housing development sets aside a portion of the units as affordable housing. The third round rules require that one out of every nine housing units developed in a multi-unit development be affordable. Also, for every 25 jobs created through non-residential development, one affordable housing unit must be provided.

Alternatives to this approach include:

1. Municipally sponsored construction of affordable units - rental or for-sale.

2. Substantial rehabilitation of an existing residential structure.

3. Conversion of a non-residential structure (Vacant school, factory, commercial building, convent, etc.).

4. Group homes for the mentally or physically disabled.

5. Transitional facilities for the homeless or victims of domestic violence.

6. Accessory apartments.

7. Purchase of vacant houses for affordable re-sale or rental.

8. Write-down/buy-down of previously owned units.

9. Age-restricted (55+) affordable housing - rental or for-sale.

10. Donate land to non-profit housing provider.

11. Regional contribution agreements (RCA). (Town A pays Town B $35,000 per unit for Town B to either build or rehabilitate units in Town B.)

12. Rehabilitation of existing units occupied by low or moderate income households.

13. Elder Cottage Housing Opportunities (ECHO) housing. (May address a rehabilitation component only.)

Other strategies may be available to consider.


Funding can be sought through various programs administered through the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) such as Balanced Housing, the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) or the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) or through the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) such as the Federal Low Income Tax Credits program.

COAH will be conducting area meetings as an orientation on the third round rules municipal officials, planners and the general public. The first meeting is for Area 6 (Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem Counties) scheduled for Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County, Education Center, 291 Morton Avenue (County Rt. 634), Rosenhayn, NJ, from 7-9 pm. Please come to the meeting, if you are available that evening.
If you have any questions, please feel free to E-mail, write (COAH, PO Box 813, Trenton, NJ 08625-0813) or call me at [phone].

Sincerely,
James Cordingley, P.P.

I am going to read this over a couple of times and see what I can digest from it.

I wish to thank Mr. Cordingley and the COAH for their prompt and thorough response.

[Al Alven]

I am also quite surprised at both the speed and sheer depth of Mr. Cordingley’s response. There certainly is a lot to digest here, but it is encouraging that such a comprehensive list of methods and alternatives could be presented so efficiently.

[Ed Rosenberg]

Having read over and considered the e-mail from Mr. Cordingley for a bit, I think the questions the people in need of affordable housing in Wildwood and the Wildwoods in general should be asking themselves might be...

Are our elected officials and government doing everything possible to create and maintain housing for me and my neighbors?

Are they leaving no stone unturned in order to help?

For me, the next step with this is to contact the Herald and see if a story can be generated from this information. If not, I will do a bit of cutting and pasting, add a thought or two of my own, and e-mail a letter to the editor there. I think everyone in Cape May County should have an opportunity to chew on this info.

[Ed Rosenberg]

Another question could be...

Are they doing what they are supposed to be doing?

---------

Isn't there a large development being planned in the old dump area? If so, has some affordable housing been set aside there?

[Ed Rosenberg]

I have e-mailed the Herald and pitched a story.

We shall see what happens.

One way or another, I promise those in need of Affordable Housing and those who are troubled or concerned by its dwindling availability not only in the Wildwoods, but throughout our county, that this information will be made available to as wide an audience as I can get access to.

Everyone should be included in the realm of housing in our area. Everyone must be included if we are to have a healthy local economy...and reliable, affordable services.

By the way, I have read many of your postings. Wildwood is not all bad. I have many of my own stories...many wonderful memories. Perhaps, when I get some time, I will post them.

One, while I am here, is my great appreciation of the Hunt Family's "Kids Day."

Lord, talk about including everyone!

Way back when..once a year every kid on the island was treated to a special day of free rides on Hunt's Pier...and free movies at one of their theaters.

Incredible.

www.everyoneisincluded.us